Water Test Kit

iamchris

iamchris

AC Members
Jan 13, 2005
75
0
0
What freshwater test kits do you guys use? How many tests does it provide and what does it cost? Right now I'm using the test strips and I've read that they're not too accurate. Looking to order some test kits, but I'm sure I can find it cheaper online than at the LFS.
 
I use test strips and find them to be sufficiently accurate for most of my needs. (check out this thread for a recent discussion of accuracy: http://64.191.28.50/forums/showthread.php?t=44718&highlight=test+strips )

If you choose not to go the test strip route, lots of people recommend Aquarium Pharmaceutical tests. I found Kordon AquaTru tests to be very easy to read. Both of those are fine if you want to go with the sit-and-wait route of testing.

I had BAD luck with Red Sea tests... very hard to read, widely varying results. I can't recommend them at all.

I'm sure others will chime in. Have you reason to doubt the accuracy of the strips you've been using?

Jim
 
I've always been a fan of the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master test kit, pretty reliable/easy to read. I think they go now for about US$30, but it's not too bad for ph high/low, gh, kh, nitrites, ammonia
 
I also have the Aquarium Pharmaceutical Test kit. The Master Test kit has the following tests: Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Ph, High range Ph,,it is a very good test kit indeed and is not too pricey at Big als. I would also get the GH/ KH test kit since the Master Test kit does not include This (what a shame).
 
I got a Red Sea master test kit and am not really happy with it. On a couple of the tests the end result colors don't match the color charts provided. I won't get another one.
 
Aquarium Parmecuticals Master Test kit here. The nitrate test is a bit time consuming with lots of test solution bottle and test tube shaking but other than that the tests that come with the kit seem to be pretty reliable and easy to use.
 
I use Nutrafin test kits and LOVE them. Liquid reagents, clear instructions, and the results are easy to read, with the exception of the NO3 kit, where it's difficult to discern levels above 20ppm - they're not much different in colour on the chart. This doesn't really bother me, since I have trouble keeping my tanks above 5ppm. The master kit comes with high and low range pH, KH/DH, NO2, & NH3. I believe I paid $19.99CD for the master kit, and ~12.00 ea for Ca, NO3, PO4, & Fe. The kits last a long time - I test frequently and the only kits I've replaced since buying them all initially are PO4 and NO3, which I test often (planted tanks). I think the pH kit may just last me until my 100th birthday :D
 
I don't really have any reason to doubt the accuracy of my strips, except for hearing some other people say bad things about them. I know it can't be too bad, but I also wanted to get something that lasted a lot longer. 25 tests should not cost me 10 dollars, and then to test ammonia it's another 25 tests at 12 dollars. Not worth it, so I just bought American Pharmaceuticals online for about 17-18 US$ after shipping. Good deal if you ask me :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom